A Tremendous Response

To the Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the tremendous response we had to our RSVP Warm Up America Thanksgiving Drive this year. I am the director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and have been involved with the Warm Up America effort for three years now. This Thanksgiving season the handmade donations of warm blankets, lab robes, many infant items, blankets, hats, mittens, scarves, quilts, bibs, slippers and specialty items totaled more than the previous two years combined.

We had so much that we needed to gather a team of volunteers together to get it organized to be donated. The team worked tirelessly all day. The items to be received by local Danbury organizations who serve families and children in the community were creatively handmade by many RSVP volunteers in Ridgefield, Danbury, Newtown, Brookfield, New Fairfield, Bethel, and a from a volunteer who drives her handmade items to us from Kent. These volunteers feel it is very important to serve those who are close to home and use the RSVP program to donate their beautiful work to others.

The RSVP work does not end with the Thanksgiving drive. RSVP volunteers are everywhere and use their skills and talents to benefit more than 76 organizations in the greater Danbury Area. When there is a call for action for volunteer service, RSVP will respond. Debbie and I at RSVP and the American Red Cross of Western Connecticut are thankful for all your efforts.

Maureen Farrell

RSVP of Northern Fairfield Country

2 Terrace Place, Danbury                                       November 14, 2007